IGN's Best of CES 2014 Awards

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We crown the coolest smartphone, gaming hardware, and more.

By Scott Lowe

After several years of subdued announcements, last week's annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) heralded the arrival of numerous exciting new products and platforms. Valve and its partners unveiled the first wave of consumer-grade Steam Machines, Samsung showed off the world's first bending OLED 4K Ultra HD TV, and Sony debuted its much anticipated games streaming service, PlayStation Now. But which stood out amidst the flood of new products and technologies? Here our picks for the Best of CES 2014.

The Xperia Z was our choice for Best Smartphone of CES 2013, and this year, Sony is taking the title again with the Xperia Z1 Compact. Boasting top-tier specs in a small, colorful build, the Xperia Z1 Compact brings the Xperia brand to a broader audience without sacrificing quality. It's got a 4.3" display, quad-core processor, 720p display, and a 20.7-megapixel camera, making it one of the most feature-packed devices in its class.

Vizio may be synonymous with cost-conscious TVs, but this year at CES, it proved that it can innovate in the high-end space as well. The Reference Series offers impressive visual performance with its 10-bit color gamut, 800 nit brightness level, and high-dynamic range capabilities — and, of course, 4K Ultra HD resolution. It's also freestanding with a built-in 5.1 sound bar and 10" wireless subwoofer. The Reference Series also comes equipped with a built-in six-core processor for improved image processing and smart TV applications. See more about the Vizio Reference Series...

Following its Edge gaming tablet and Blade gaming laptops, Razer continued its bold campaign into the computer space with Project Christine, a modular gaming PC tower that aims to make upgrading your rig easier than ever. The concept utilizes custom-built modules that house everything from your PC's CPU or GPU to RAM and power supply — each with an integrated liquid cooling system for noise-free operation. It's even got a built-in touch screen for monitoring the status of each pod. There's no word on when or if Razer will bring Project Christine to market, but given its innovative design, we certainly hope it does. See more about Razer's Project Christine...

The Oculus Rift made a large evolutionary leap at CES with its new Crystal Cove prototype, which adds new, never before seen functionality to the much-anticipated virtual reality headset. Crystal Cove integrates a new external camera capable of tracking a player's movements and perspective as they move, opening new doors for in-game experiences, like leaning around corners, peaking around objects, and more. Oculus has also given the built-in screen a big boost with the adoption of an OLED display, which improves brightness and color performance. Although we're still waiting on a retail version of the Rift, Oculus says Crystal Cove is bringing the team much closer to making it a reality. See more about Oculus' Crystal Cove prototype...

Pairing high-quality design and materials with the compelling featureset of the original model, the Pebble Steel offers an entry point for prospective smartwatch owners who've been waiting for a solution with a more premium look and feel. With both brushed steel and leather watchbands and a Gorilla Glass-encased display, the Pebble Steel is one of the best looking smartwatches we've seen. And with the company's forthcoming app store and powerful new software coming at the end of the month, the Pebble Steel has the potential to dominate the smartwatch market. See more about the Pebble Steel...